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Nintendo is opening up a store, their first retail store actually, in New York City's Rockefeller Center. The Nintendo World store will open May 14, 2005 and is housed in a two-story 10,000 square foot space.

Nintendo Prepares to Open Its First Ever Retail Store: Nintendo World; Nintendo Explodes Into Action Outside with Colorful Opening Day Block Party

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2005--Nintendo of America today announces the Nintendo World(TM) store, located in the heart of New York City's Rockefeller Center, will open on May 14, 2005. Nintendo World will celebrate with a grand opening block party outside the store in Rockefeller Plaza.

The two-story, 10,000 square foot gaming paradise will be open seven days a week to showcase the best of what's new for Nintendo. The store will appeal to Nintendo(R) fans of all ages with its wide range of exclusive merchandise, games and interactive kiosks. Nintendo World is also the new home of Pokemon(R) Center which will feature the best that Pokemon has to offer - exclusive merchandise, state-of-the art demo stations and an Ultra-Pokedex.

"Nintendo chose New York City as the home for the first-ever Nintendo World store as New York has always been the center of non-stop excitement, just like Nintendo," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "2005 has already been a great year for Nintendo - from the continued success of Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy(R) Advance SP, to chart-topping Nintendo GameCube(TM) games. The Nintendo World store will continue this by providing a venue for tourists, teens, families, gamers and interactive entertainment fans of all ages to play new games and sample upcoming ones."

To celebrate the launch, Nintendo will host an exclusive "block party" in Rockefeller Plaza outside of the Nintendo World store on Saturday, May 14. Open to all, the event will feature interactive game kiosks, giveaways and gaming competitions, and even the chance to play against a celebrity. Nintendo prizes will be given out throughout the day. More details on the block party will be announced in coming weeks.

The Nintendo World store will feature exclusive Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo GameCube and Pokemon merchandise not found at any other store in the world. The store has been designed to create an interactive experience for all visitors including a multi-player gaming wall and a surround sound gaming lounge where consumers will play dozens of edgy Nintendo games. The store will also feature an extensive Nintendo DS sampling station.

Nintendo World will showcase tables for Pokemon trading card game play and offer computer stations with access to the official Pokemon Website -pokemon.com - for all the latest news and information. The second floor of Nintendo World store will be home to a wide selection of exclusive Pokemon merchandise including plush toys, apparel and more. Plus, Nintendo World will be the only Manhattan location for the Pokemon Trading Card Game league, to continue on Sunday mornings in the concourse level of Rockefeller Plaza.